29.07.2009, 02:17
Thank you! Showtime begins this Thursday at 8:00 AM sharp as their maintenance crews runup each jet and preflight them for the pilots. The Blue Angels are unique in the fact that the pilots do NOT preflight their own aircraft as a sign of trust and teamwork with their crew chiefs. Pretty cool!
During these inspections all aircraft flight surfaces are cycled, including the IFR probe, tailhook, catipult nose linkage, airbrake (board), and all control surfaces. Even the spare jet is put through its paces at this time. When they're all done they'll refuel the aircraft and make any replacements they may need for the upcoming flight in two hours.
For Thursday the six demonstration pilots perform what is called "circle and arrival maneuvers" which involves the four diamond pilots overflying the airshow site for about an hour and noting their 1,2,3,4, and 5 mile checkmarks in each direction they will be flying. These are to ensure absolute precise timing for the airshow. Once they're done with the timing the Squadron Commander and Flight Leader, "Boss," will run through a couple diamond maneuvers to ensure the checkpoints will work. Once they're all done and recovered back at the airport, the two solo pilots then will do the same thing, noting the landmarks for their manevuers. They then will do a series of opposing passes, where they come head-to-head. This also takes about an hour for the solo pilots. Once they're recovered and the Flight Sergeon, "Doc," is back at the field, the six demonstration pilots and "Doc" will run through a de-briefing and compare notes. THEN they will do a full flight briefing and head back out to the airport and put on a full practice routine. As always, once on the ground they will pick appart EVERY maneuver and transition in their debriefing.
"Doc," actually is the one who guides the debriefing sessions as he/she will be directly at show center evaluating the show and communicating with the pilots. At the beginning of the season "Doc" is instructed on precisely what the show SHOULD look like. Then after EVERY flight "Doc" is able to tell the pilots what they need to work on and what they really did well.
Thursday is ALWAYS the best day to spot out near a show location where the Thunderbirds and/or Blue Angels will be flying as you get to see them fly TWICE. (Remember that if they're coming to a site near you!)
During these inspections all aircraft flight surfaces are cycled, including the IFR probe, tailhook, catipult nose linkage, airbrake (board), and all control surfaces. Even the spare jet is put through its paces at this time. When they're all done they'll refuel the aircraft and make any replacements they may need for the upcoming flight in two hours.
For Thursday the six demonstration pilots perform what is called "circle and arrival maneuvers" which involves the four diamond pilots overflying the airshow site for about an hour and noting their 1,2,3,4, and 5 mile checkmarks in each direction they will be flying. These are to ensure absolute precise timing for the airshow. Once they're done with the timing the Squadron Commander and Flight Leader, "Boss," will run through a couple diamond maneuvers to ensure the checkpoints will work. Once they're all done and recovered back at the airport, the two solo pilots then will do the same thing, noting the landmarks for their manevuers. They then will do a series of opposing passes, where they come head-to-head. This also takes about an hour for the solo pilots. Once they're recovered and the Flight Sergeon, "Doc," is back at the field, the six demonstration pilots and "Doc" will run through a de-briefing and compare notes. THEN they will do a full flight briefing and head back out to the airport and put on a full practice routine. As always, once on the ground they will pick appart EVERY maneuver and transition in their debriefing.
"Doc," actually is the one who guides the debriefing sessions as he/she will be directly at show center evaluating the show and communicating with the pilots. At the beginning of the season "Doc" is instructed on precisely what the show SHOULD look like. Then after EVERY flight "Doc" is able to tell the pilots what they need to work on and what they really did well.
Thursday is ALWAYS the best day to spot out near a show location where the Thunderbirds and/or Blue Angels will be flying as you get to see them fly TWICE. (Remember that if they're coming to a site near you!)